Traffic laws, regulations, and penalties
Traffic laws, regulations, and penalties tests whether a rider knows that a motorcycle is a motor vehicle with the same core duties as a car, plus specific rules on helmets, passengers, loads, and expressway use. The exam punishes “common sense” answers that ignore thresholds, licence classes, and penalty points.
Core rules and thresholds
- A motorcycle rider needs the correct licence class, registration, insurance, and a fastened helmet. Passengers on a two-wheel motorcycle must be at least 12 years old; lightweight motorcycles carry no passengers.
- Drinking and driving: 20 mg/100 ml ≤ blood alcohol < 80 mg/100 ml is 饮酒驾驶; 80 mg/100 ml or more is 醉酒驾驶. Motorcycles are included. Drinking and driving normally brings a six-month licence suspension, a fine of 1,000–2,000 yuan, and 12 points; drunk driving brings licence revocation, criminal liability, and a five-year ban on reapplying.
- Riding without a licence can bring a fine of 200–2,000 yuan and up to 15 days’ detention.
- Not wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle carries a penalty and one point under the current points system. Running a red light is six points. Occupying an expressway emergency lane is six points.
- After a crash, fleeing can lead to licence revocation and, if a crime is constituted, a lifetime ban; even a non-criminal hit-and-run can bring a fine and detention.
Worked example
A rider is stopped with a blood alcohol reading of 45 mg/100 ml. This is drinking and driving, not drunk driving, because it is below 80 mg/100 ml. The rider faces suspension, a fine, and points; the motorcycle is a motor vehicle, so “it was only a bike” is not a defence. Reasoning: the threshold is numeric, and the vehicle class does not change it.
Traps that cost marks
- Confusing the 20 mg and 80 mg thresholds.
- Thinking a helmet is required only on fast roads.
- Believing a lightweight motorcycle may carry a child passenger.
- Treating a crash as “just a scrape” and leaving without exchanging details.